Two area cities have put in bids to be considered as the site for development of a veterans home.

A state task force is searching for a new site to construct a facility to replace one in Little Rock that state officials closed because of deteriorating conditions. The new development is expected to cost $20 million and create 200 medical and support staff positions.

Earlier this year, Russellville was selected as one of four finalists for a site, but that initial round of proposals was thrown out and a new request for proposals issued with updated guidelines and requirements.

At Thursday's City Council meeting, Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton announced the city's submission of two sites for the proposed home.

In conjunction with Arkansas Tech University, two proposed sites near Reasoner Lane were submitted on Nov. 22, Eaton said. One is just off Reasonear Lane and would include the creation of an access road, while the other site would include property directly adjacent to the road.

The city has pledged $850,000 in site improvements for either location. Eaton also noted technological assets and expertise provided by ATU, the patriotic atmosphere of the area, accredited health care programs in the area and the desirability of the site as benefits Russellville offers.

"Our proposal, I believe, will be extremely difficult to turn down," Eaton said. "... I think it will be an awesome site."

Eaton said a great deal of effort went into putting together the site proposals, and commended Ret. Maj. Gen. Bill Harmon for his efforts in the process as well as Jeff Pipkin, president of the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development.

Russellville isn't the only area city to put in a proposal, however.

Clarksville-Johnson County Chamber of Commerce CEO Travis Stephens said a site on Poplar Street in Clarksville was submitted to the VA for consideration as well.

Stephens said the land is privately owned, though the city has made an offer on the 20-acre site contingent upon it being selected by the VA for the proposed veterans home.

Additional incentives could be added to the city's proposal, Stephens said, though he said they haven't yet been added because they were not asked for in the original request for information.

It is unclear when a decision will be made about the site selection process.

"All we've heard officially is they hope to have a decision by the end of the year," Stephens said.